Sar-i-Pul bakeries don’t follow hygiene procedures

SAR-I-PUL CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents of central Sar-i-Pul province on Thursday alleged bakeries have been violating cleanliness standards set by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).

The dwellers demanded of the public health department to observe the situation of bakeries and shut down the ones that did not follow the rules. MoPH has directed the bakeries to follow the cleanliness rules in preparation of flour and baking of bread.

Wearing a special uniform and mask during preparation of flour for bread, covering the ceiling of bakery with a cloth or plastic and floor with tiles and use of a dough machine are some of the rules. 

Hameedullah, a resident of the provincial capital, said: “I don’t buy bread from the bazaar because bakery workers don’t keep their places clean and hygienic.”

He added nobody would buy bread after watching bakery workers in dirty clothes. He urged the officials to keep a check on the current conditions of bakery shops in the city. 

Another dweller, Javed, said he did not see any bakery using a dough machine in preparation of flour. Bakers prepare flour using their hands up to elbows, according to him.

Environmental health official Dr. Mohammad Kazim said a delegation of public health, municipality, agriculture, police and intelligence departments had been formed to assess hotels, bakeries and other shops. 

He said the delegation would distribute special standards forms to the bakeries on basic information about health issue. “We have advised bakeries to implement the rules on health-related issues.”

Meanwhile, a number of bakery owners said they had no information about the forms; nor they have been contacted by any delegation. One baker Haji Azam said: “It’s the responsibility of the government to ensure implementation of rules and regulations.”

All bakeries should be treated equally as far as implementation of rules was concerned, he demanded, agreeing that adherence to hygienic procedures was essential.

But Environment Director Roohullah Qayam rejected the view of bakery owners and said officials of his department often raided shops that violated hygiene procedures.

nh/mud  

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